Govt discusses measures to promote equality

The government on Wednesday at an internal seminar discussed measures to promote equality and non-discrimination in Finnish society, said an official press release.

“We had a fruitful and thorough discussion based on the preparations by our working group. All of the parties in Government are committed to seeking solutions and promoting equality in Finland,” said Prime Minister Petteri Orpo after the seminar.

“There is no place for racism in Finland, and the Government does not accept it in any form,” the Prime Minister said.

In July, the Government appointed a working group to prepare a government statement to Parliament on promoting equality and non-discrimination in Finland.

The statement is to be adopted at the government plenary session on 31 August.

Led by State Secretary Risto Artjoki, the working group has consulted with a wide range of different actors both orally and in writing.

The consultations featured dismantling inequalities in the labour market and elsewhere in society, strengthening good relations between population groups, the key importance of access to the labour market and the need to strengthen the knowledge base on racism in Finland. With respect to legislation, a few amendments were proposed. The statements received in the consultation round are available (in the original languages) in the Gateway to Information on Government Projects, and they will also be used to draw up a more detailed action plan to be launched after the statement is complete.